Eggnog

Recipe courtesy Alton Brown, 2005

Show: Good EatsEpisode: School of Hard Nogs

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (124)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(124)

Prep Time:
15 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
6 to 7 cups

Times:

Prep: 15 min
Inactive Prep: --
Cook: --
Total:: 15 min

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Ingredients

4 egg yolks
1/3 cup sugar, plus 1 tablespoon
1 pint whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
3 ounces bourbon
1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
4 egg whites*

Directions

In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the egg yolks until they lighten in color. Gradually add the 1/3 cup sugar and continue to beat until it is completely dissolved. Add the milk, cream, bourbon and nutmeg and stir to combine.

Place the egg whites in the bowl of a stand mixer and beat to soft peaks. With the mixer still running gradually add the 1 tablespoon of sugar and beat until stiff peaks form.

Whisk the egg whites into the mixture. Chill and serve.

Cook's Note: For cooked eggnog, follow procedure below.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the egg yolks until they lighten in color. Gradually add the 1/3 cup sugar and continue to beat until it is completely dissolved. Set aside.

In a medium saucepan, over high heat, combine the milk, heavy cream and nutmeg and bring just to a boil, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and gradually temper the hot mixture into the egg and sugar mixture. Then return everything to the pot and cook until the mixture reaches 160 degrees F. Remove from the heat, stir in the bourbon, pour into a medium mixing bowl, and set in the refrigerator to chill.

In a medium mixing bowl, beat the egg whites to soft peaks. With the mixer running gradually add the 1 tablespoon of sugar and beat until stiff peaks form. Whisk the egg whites into the chilled mixture.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Eggnog
Dennis Sebastopol, CA 12-25-2009
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I'm the star of Christmas Eve
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I have been trying to prepare some Christmas classics over the years. Alton's fruitcake 2 years ago, Christmas Pudding this... year and Alton's eggnog today. I had had homemade eggnog only once before, but it was very memorable, especially compared to the grout cleaner that they sell as eggnog in the supermarket! I did the cooked version and it turned out great. A bit more work but not hard at all. I used 2% milk instead of whole milk and so added more cream, but It was not needed for richness. Next time I'lll use more 2%. Also, since the egg-whites in this recipe are still raw, I skipped them all together and just wipped cream which I ladled on top of the yolky/cream nutmeg mixture. I liked the contrast in texture flavor of the two different creams. Other recipes call for SO MUCH alcohol-this one is pretty light which I admire. Also I like the simple nutmeg only, but can imagine some other spices being nice as well. But simple is best for this kind of thing. I doubled the recipe and had enough for us 12 people with extra. Single recipe might be a tad skimpy for the 16 people it calls for?? Our family really liked it!!Read more
recipe Eggnog
Pam Fullerton, CA 12-23-2009
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A Nod to the Nog!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I did the cooked version (serving the elderly.. don't want to take any chances). I tweaked this a little by putting a little... mulling spice in two cups of milk and I let that sit in milk just under boiling for about 15 minutes. Then I strained and measured some more milk because what I had was reduced. I also added a little vanilla. Yummy! Especially with the bourbon. The little bit added is mainly for flavor and 3 oz. is perfect for that slight oomph to the whole batch. When I have my glass on Christmas Eve, I plan on adding some good rum to my glass. Read more
recipe Eggnog
Elizabeth rutherford, NJ 12-21-2009
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I'll Never Buy the Stuff in the Carton Again!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I am absolutely amazed at how good this recipe is. I did the cooked version, so there are a lot of steps involved. But, I... found it to be easy to do, and it turned out perfectly. It's so fluffy and thick. YUM!!!!Read more
recipe Eggnog
null null, null 12-20-2009
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FDA Warns against uncooked egg products, ecoli hazzard.
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

Thank you for showing a "cooked" version of eggnog.
recipe Eggnog
NATALIE maysville, GA 12-20-2009
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a pitcher of frothy goodness!!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

i took the advice of an earlier comment and instead of the alcohol I added another cup of heavy cream. It was fantastic!!!!... SUPER frothy the way I like it. WAAAAY better than store bought!!!Read more
recipe Eggnog
Cheryl Fall Branch, TN 12-20-2009
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Great even without the alcohol!
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

Wonderful recipe... but for parties where alcohol is a no-no (Church) I eliminated the bourbon and added 1 cup of heavy cream... and 2 tablespoons Mexican Vanilla. Everyone loved it! Thanks Alton! Read more